Unlocking Local Potential: How Open Government Data Drives University Technology Transfer in China

Recent research on open government data (OGD) has evolved from theoretical frameworks to evaluations of policy performance. However, existing studies remain limited in examining the relationship between OGD and university technology transfer (UTT). This study bridges this gap by employing a multi-period difference-in-differences (DID) model using provincial panel data from China, covering the period from 2005 to 2021. The findings are as follows: First, OGD significantly enhances UTT. Second, OGD facilitates technology transfer through three key mechanisms: the university innovation effect, the regional entrepreneurship effect, and the university-industry linkage effect. Third, the positive impact of OGD is more pronounced in inland regions and areas with higher levels of social trust. These findings offer valuable policy implications for advancing OGD reform and improving UTT.